Colonel Joseph C. Romeo is the currently Commander for the 349th Operations Group, 349th Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Travis AFB, California. As the Commander, he leads the largest operations group in the Air Force Reserve Command with four flying squadrons, an aeromedical evacuation squadron, an operations support squadron, and an air mobility operations squadron assigned. In partnership with its active-duty host wing, the group operates the C-5M Super Galaxy, the KC-10A Extender, the C-17 Globemaster III and the KC-46 Pegasus. The 349th Operations Group is comprised of over 700 Airmen and Colonel Romeo is responsible for the leadership, management, administration, and development of programs to train and maintain combat ready personnel.
During his career Colonel Romeo has filled various operational and staff assignments in the squadron, group, and Numbered Air Force. He has deployed multiple times in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan supporting numerous named operations. Colonel Romeo is a highly experienced combat search and rescue pilot who has performed a wide variety of personnel recovery, special operations, casualty evacuation, close air support missions and is credited with hundreds of lives saved.
Prior to assuming his current position, Lieutenant Colonel Romeo was the Commander of the 943d Security Forces Squadron, 920th Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. He led 85 Security Force Defenders responsible for base and personnel defense, opposing force simulation, and combat arms for the 355th Wing (ACC), 943rd Rescue Group (AFRC) and the 610th Command and Control Squadron (USSTRATCOM). The squadron’s Citizen Airmen ensure the safety of people, property, and resources on every instillation they support while augmenting the Expeditionary Combat Support mission whenever called to serve. Col Romeo was critical in the innovation and execution of Agile Combat Support while defining the role of Multi-Capable Airmen in Combat Search and Rescue and the mission of Rescue Defenders at the forward edge of the battlespace.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelors Degree in Sociology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX.
2002 Life Support Officer Course, Brooks AFB, TX.
2004 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL.
2009 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL.
2017 Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course, Kirtland AFB, NM.
2018 Air War College, by correspondence, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL.
2020 Masters Degree in Military Operational Art and Science (OLMP), Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1997 - February 1998, Wing Scheduler while awaiting pilot training, 319th Operational Support Squadron, Grand Forks AFB, ND.
2. February 1998 - February 1999, Student, undergraduate pilot training, Laughlin AFB, TX.
3. February 1999 - December 1999, Student, undergraduate pilot training - helicopter, Fort Rucker, AL.
4. January 2000 - July 2000, Student, HH-60 initial qualification, Kirtland AFB, NM.
5. July 2000 - December 2001, Life Support Officer, Current Operations Officer, and mission Pilot, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, GA.
6. December 2001- December 2002, Group Life Support Officer, 347th Operational Support Squadron, Moody AFB, GA.
7. December 2002 - December 2006, Flight Commander, Mobility Officer, Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot, 55th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
8. December 2006 - September 2007, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, Evaluator Pilot, 55th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
9. September 2007 - October 2009, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Chief of Plans and Exercises, and Evaluator Pilot, 305th Rescue Squadron (AFRC), Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
10. October 2009 - August 2010, Chief of Safety, 943rd Rescue Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
11. August 2010 - August 2012, Operations Officer, Standardization and Evaluation, 10th Air Force, Carswell AFB, TX.
12. August 2012 - June 2013, Chief of Personnel Recovery, 10th Air Force, Naval Air Station Ft. Worth Joint Reserve Base, TX.
13. June 2013 - June 2015, Staff Officer, A5 directorate/Personnel Recovery Operations, 10th Air Force, Naval Air Station Ft Worth Joint Reserve Base, TX.
14. June 2015 - June 2018, Chief of Safety, 943rd Rescue Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
15. June 2018 - June 2020, HH-60G Director of Test, Operational Test and Evaluation Pilot, Air Guard Air Reserve Test Center, Tucson International Airport, AZ.
16. June 2020 - May 2021, Chief, CSAR Division, Air Guard Air Reserve Test Center, Tucson International Airport, AZ.
17. May 2021 – Jun 2022, Commander, 720th Security Forces Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
18. Jun 22 – Dec 23, Commander, 943rd Security Forces Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
19. Jan 24 – present, Commander, 349 Air Mobility Group, Travis Air Force Base, California
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 4125
Combat Hours: More than 329
Combat and Support Sorties: More than 247
Aircraft Flown: T-37A, UH-1H, HH-60G, C-17, KC-10, HC-130P, B-52H, F-16D, Mi-24
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award with five oak leaf clusters
AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and three oak leaf clusters
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and seven oak leaf clusters
NATO Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Sep 21, 1997
First Lieutenant Sep 21, 1999
Captain Sep 21, 2001
Major May 1, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel Oct 1, 2013
Colonel Apr 1, 2023
(Current as of Jun 2024)